New institutional accounting and IFRS

This paper reviews recent advances from the institutional economics and accounting literature to help build a nascent framework for 'new institutional accounting' (NIA) research. The framework has five basic elements: (i) institutional structure (formal vs. informal); (ii) level of analysis (macro institutions vs. micro organisations); (iii) causation (exogenous vs. endogenous institutions); (iv) interdependencies (complementarities); and (v) efficient vs. inefficient outcomes. I apply the framework to help provide insights into the determinants and outcomes of accounting institutions (including IFRS) and non-accounting institutions observed around the world. I conclude with a discussion of opportunities and directions for future research on 'new institutional accounting'.